Truth? A lot of things about this socially distant summer are making me sad. Family reunion at the beach: cancelled. Summer camps: cancelled. Playdates with friends: cancelled (at least for now.) The silver lining for me is that we have even more time to read than usual. This post is part 1 of my summer reading list, featuring 15 diverse picture books for kids. You can find my list of chapter books that are perfect for summer reading here.
Disclosure: For your convenience, this post includes affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I received a free digital copy of A Day with Yayah from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
15 Diverse Picture Books that are Perfect for Summer Reading
Summer Sun Risin’ by W. Nikola-Lisa and Don Tate
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Summer days certainly aren’t slow and lazy on the farm! Gentle rhyming text share how a little boy stays busy all day helping his Ma and Pa with chores. This is particularly good summer reading for city kids who may not have thought where their food comes from.
Even for this busy family, there’s still summer fun, including fishing and bedtime stories. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)
Five Little Mermaids by Sunny Scribens, Barbara Vagnozzi, and Audra Mariel
Nothing quite says summer like the ocean! In this playful singalong book, kids swim alongside 5 mermaids who explore each of the world’s oceans. There’s lots of STEM learning woven into the illustrations and bonus educational notes (which also include fun mermaid legends.) A CD with audio and video of the song are included, plus a digital link for those without CD capabilities. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)
Related Post: Best diverse singalong books
The Field by Baptiste Paul and Jaqueline Alcántara
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Baptiste Paul’s account of a spirited soccer match that can’t be stopped by the rain is inspired by his childhood games of futbol played with friends in the West Indies. In this delightful read, children fashion their own goal, chase off cows that are on their field, and belly flop into muddy puddles as they play. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7, #ownvoices)
Get Off That Camel! by A.H. Benjamin and Krishna Bala Shenoi
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Summer means more time with pets (even unusual ones like camels), so why not include them in our summer reading?
Even when she was just a baby, Meena was drawn to camels and refused to be separated from her stuffed camel. When she she trades in the toy for the real thing, she tells her parents, “I’ll never get off her.” Mum and Dad soon discover she means this literally, as the camel joins them for dinner, takes baths with Meena, and gives her a cozy spot to sleep on at night.
This quirky, funny story is accompanied by delightful and ridiculous illustrations of the many places Meena takes her camel, much to the dismay of everyone else. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)
Related Post: 17 Funny Multicultural Children’s Books
From My Window by Otávio Júnior and Vanina Starkoff
In some ways, quarantine has shrunk my family’s world. But it’s also made us much more aware of what’s interesting right in our little neighborhood.
In this lushly illustrated story, Otávio Júnior introduces us to the favela he grew up in Rio de Janeiro. From his window, he can see an incredible array of people creatively meeting their needs and finding joy, even in the midst of poverty.
One of the reasons this is great summer reading for young kids is that they’ll want to pore over the detailed illustrations on their own (giving you a little break, grownups!) (Recommended for ages 3 – 7, #ownvoices)
Related Post: DIY Ideas for an Around the World Summer Camp
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
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This book was my son’s favorite read for a long time, probably because of the page spread showing the huge splash that Jabari makes at the pool.
When Jabari arrives at the pool, he announces to his Dad that he’s going to jump off the diving board for the first time. Jabari assures his Dad that he’s not scared at all, but his body language says otherwise. Dad explains that sometimes doing something scary can feel like a surprise once we prepare ourselves. Since Jabari loves surprises, he decides to climb to the top of the diving board after all. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)
Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child, Gordon Jourdain, and Jonathan Thunder
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In some Native American communities, powwow celebrations are the highlight of summer.
For Windy Girl, an Ojibwe child, her favorite part of the summer is attending the powwow with her uncle and her noisy dog, Itchy Boy. On the way to the powwow, her uncle tells her many stories about when he was a boy.
Her uncle tells her a story he heard, that long ago, before the powwow, dancers would go from house the house. They sang a song that said “we are like dogs.”
Perhaps that’s why, that when Windy Girl drifts off to sleep last that night at the celebrations, she has a most unusual dream. In a very special powwow, she sees veterans in the Grand Entry, jingle dancers, grass dancers, and fancy dancers. She sees the food stands serving fry bread and sno cones. But everyone participating in the powwow is a dog! (Recommended for ages 3 – 8, #ownvoices)
Yum! Mmmm! ¡Qué rico! Americas’ Sproutings by Pat Mora and Rafael López
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My other favorite thing about this season, after summer reading? The food!
Pat Mora’s kid-friendly haiku poems celebrate the foods of North America, from blueberries that we “chew indigo O” to chiles that “Dad bites green mouth-fire.” Each short haiku is accompanied by gorgeous illustrations from Rafael López and longer descriptions about the history of each food. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8, #ownvoices)
Drummer Boy of John John by Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac
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All around his village in Trinidad, Winston sees preparations for Carnival. The Roti King, who makes delicious pancakes filled with chicken and secret spices, promises free rotis for the best band in the parade. Winston knows that Carnival won’t be right without a roti, but he’s not in a band.
When wanders through town, the sounds of instruments fill the air from practicing bands. As Winston tries to figure out a solution to his problem, he hurls his mango pit into the junkyard. When it bounces off a milk can and hits a biscuit tin, the sound gives him a bright idea!
Inspired by the early life of Winston Simon, the pioneer of the steel drum, this is a great read for music loving kids. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8).
Another wonderful book about drumming is Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle.
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell and Frané Lessac
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There are countless reasons for gratitude in every season of the year, including summer. That’s the message of this lovely picture book, which features Cherokee words and the Cherokee alphabet. From celebrating “the ancestors’ sacrifices to preserve our way of life” to a Grandmother revealing what the Cherokee name of a newborn baby will be, the people give thanks.
My kiddo especially loves the stickball illustrations that are included in the summer section of the book. (Recommended for ages 3 – 8, #ownvoices)
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Oge Mora
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Do you have a child who’s discouraged that learning to read is hard? Share this true story of Mary Walker, who learned to read at the age of 116!
Born into enslavement, Mary wasn’t allowed to learn to read as a child. But she told herself that “when I’m free, I’ll go where I want and rest when I want. And I’ll learn to read, too.” When freedom comes, it’s still accompanied by endless work for poverty wages, so there’s no time to learn to read. Still she holds onto a Bible given to her, looking forward to the time she learns to read it.
That time didn’t come until Mary was living in a retirement home at the age of 114, and reading classes were offered. She didn’t know if she was going to succeed, but she was determined to try. (Recommended for ages 5 – 8, #ownvoices)
Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton and Don Tate
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Why not include a book on your summer reading list about a toy your child has probably played with – a super soaker water gun!
Lonnie Johnson became an inventor as child. His patient parents put up with all the bolts, screws, and spare parts he kept around. Even when he set the kitchen on fire making rocket fuel, his mom just sent him outside to do it.
As an adult, he came up with the idea for the super soaker while working on a much more serious project – how to replace air conditioning coolant with something that wouldn’t hurt the environment. Still, it took many years and many pitches to toy companies until Lonnie found one who would manufacture what is today a favorite summer toy. (Recommended for ages 5 – 8)
A Day with Yayah by Nicola Campbell and Julie Flett
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Summer reading lists should definitely include books that celebrate the outdoors. In A Day with Yayah, a Salish grandmother teaches children their endangered language while gathering mushrooms and other edible plants. Even though the children don’t like to eat the mushrooms (one child wishes they could taste like marshmallows), they love gathering them with Yayah.
Yayah tells them all they need to know to stay safe while in the woods, as well as teaching them the many ways their people have used the plants they are gathering. (Recommended for ages 5 – 8, #ownvoices)
The Barefoot Book of Riddles From Around the World by Hugh Lupton and Sophie Fatus
Summer reading for reluctant readers has to be chosen carefully. For children who enjoy solving puzzles, try this book of riddles and riddle stories.
Since I’m not great at puzzles, I love that the pictures in the book provide clues to the riddles. (And when all else fails, there’s an answer key in the back.) There are also short mind-bending stories about alligator kings, talking pools of water, and more. (Recommended for ages 6 – 9)
My Very Own Room/Mi propio cuartito by Amada Irma Pérez and Maya Christina Gonzalez
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Now that she’s 9, a little girl thinks she really shouldn’t have to share a room with her 5 brothers. Just today, little Mario crawled out of his crib, and she woke up with his leg across her face. Her Mama is sympathetic, but in a two bedroom house, there just don’t seem to be any other options.
But when the girl has an idea of where they could squeeze in a tiny room, everyone in the family wants to help figure out how to make it work. (Recommended for ages 5 – 8, #ownvoices)
Related Post: 17 Engaging Picture Books Starring Latinx Characters